Leno and Osborne Ruffle Some Firebird Feathers

455 cubic inches and an easily-disrupted 70's suspension. What else do you need to know? Watch Jay Leno and Donald Osborne live out their Dazed and Confused, Smokey and the Bandit, high school football star dreams in this 1974 Trans Am Super Duty 455!
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[@paulcamara6709]

As a 1974 Trans am owner, Rhode Island resident, and Audrain member, I really loved this video. Looking forward to the cruising season!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Will we see you at our first Cars & Coffee of the season, this upcoming Sunday, 4/16?

[@lawnandlandscaping1012]

Preparations for the car season haven’t been completed yet. I will be joining you all very soon though.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

@@lawnandlandscaping1012 We look forward to it!

[@radioguy1620]

Better check your speedo , Jay and Donald might have put a few miles on it.

[@paulcamara6709]

Unfortunately the beautiful Trans Am they drove wasn’t mine, but I’m sure the miles put on it we’re well worth it!

[@rickhoran]

I could listen to Jay and Donald talking cars for hours.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Too bad Jay has to keep badmouthing American cars... while ignoring what junk most foreign cars were back then...

[@cloaked2562]

@@BuzzLOLOL exactly there are a very very little amount of foreign classic cars that were sold in the US around today they all rotted out or were crushed, meanwhile look at how many classic American cars are still around time shows the quality

[@davewil3]

I still have my 1974, SD-455 that I have had since 1974. Admiralty blue, 21,000 miles.

[@montestu5502]

WOW! Awesome purchase!

[@clevlandblock]

I've owned my red 74 TA SD-455 4 speed with 14,000 miles since 1978 (2nd owner).

[@josephf593]

You ever take it to the track?

[@74SD455TA]

Way to go! Took me til 2010 to get mine but I have my 74 SD also with 21,000 on it. White, White standard interior....very rare, 1 of 1 known. Long live!

[@74SD455TA]

Dang, you me and the other guy with 3 KILLER of the few SD's that do remain. I consider myself very fortunate when buying mine in 2010 that I only became the 4th owner with full prior history. @@clevlandblock

[@74SD455TA]

The absolute BEST handling car of its DAY...Bar none....they STILL handle GREAT, I know, I have one. Jay is a putz.

[@themanwithnoname7576]

70-73 Trans Am's are my favorite of the entire Fbody run. Love the long, low, sleek look.

[@harley8728]

Best body style in my opion

[@dcarreira4913]

Bull Nose!!!

[@christopherrichardson5352]

The 1973 SD-455 Trans Am is my absolute dream car.

[@maryjaninelangdon327]

In 1983 I was 17 years old driving my first car, a 1978 Firebird formula with spoiler, louvers and racing stripes. The memories of driving with friends in the summer around Seaside Heights, NJ still makes me smile! You just KNEW you were in something special - and I know nothing about cars!! Hahaha. Thanks for bringing back this fond memory with this episode❤️

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

You may know "nothing" about them, but you're certainly starting to sound like a car person...

[@maryjaninelangdon327]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork hahaha! Yes and starting to act like one. I already rented a house for the Newport Concours in October🎉🎉🎉

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

@@maryjaninelangdon327 That is awesome!! We look forward to seeing you there!

[@JohnDavis-bp6bt]

Fire breathing, gas eatting, tire stealing monsters. Can't stop loving them.

[@OpenRoader]

In 1984 my best friend's father passed away leaving him a brand new Dodge Colt with less than 2k miles on it. When he turned 16 we both drove it to a local car lot (ex gas station) that had a 1973 Pontiac Formula 455 on the lot. Blue with gold honeycomb wheels and the double snorkel hood. It was the era of the gas saver cars and the salesman was chomping at the bit to get that gas guzzler off his lot in exchange for a basically brand new modern model. To this day, that Formula 455 was one of the most RUTHLESS automobiles I have ever been in. Brute force, tire shredding power. Safe? NO. But it could go. At the time it was just a survivor car. Original everything. Just a nice car with factory A/C, power windows and ten ton's of thrust.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm glad you enjoyed our video

[@JesseeSage]

Five decades later the TA still most loved muscle car, the shaker, the bird hood decal included standard

[@ytTonyZ]

I owned a SD-455. Installed a uni-light ignition, high flow float bowl valve with HO Racing Specialties needles and seats. Removed the block off plate from the shaker scoop. WS6 wheels, tires, sway bars, and gas shocks. It was a blast to drive and faster than most expected. A little warming over went along way with these cars. Never did get around to the 1.65 rocker arms. Fortunately, I grew up with car wholesalers and had the chance to appreciate many domestic and foreign cars. I drove it till the wife got one of those incurable diseases and we had to sell the fun stuff. Good news is that she went into remission after 7 years and we have been married 41 years so far. Too bad we will likely never see a SD again. Cheers

[@MrGGPRI]

Still have to deal with the low compression on engines after the 1970-71 period when we saw federallies turn into mechanical engineers. Low/no lead gasoline was good but eliminating 100 octane fuel was not; even recently the petroleum industry stated they could easily supply 100 oct again and would help clean-up air quality but of course the corrupted cabal that has commandeered DC want EV's and nothing else

[@BuzzLOLOL]

It's easy to build an even faster Firebird with even better MPG...

[@leahcimthgirw3163]

Maybe now is a good time of your life for you and your wife to get together and build one

[@will7its]

Maybe you shouldn't have said "yes dear" so much....

[@ytTonyZ]

@@will7its maybe her being in the hospital 4 times a year and her too sick to work when she was home, had us barely getting by paycheck to paycheck for 7 years?

[@rexgratteaux8655]

That SUPER DUTY 455 was one great engine , and this car was the king of the muscle cars in the 70's , it was also very underrated by many

[@judgegixxer]

Being a kid in the 70's, 2nd gen Fbodies were everywhere. I don't think you could actually go anywhere without seeing one. I loved them and still do. Lot of good times in them as a teenager.

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

And pretty much gone now.😢

[@beverlyberg2043]

You're talking about the late 70's. From 1970-74, Pontiac made very few TA's compared to other vehicles. Now by 77-81, Yes...they were everywhere ! Thanks Burt : )

[@m1t2a1]

You should have seen my high?school parking lot in the late 70s to 81.

[@davidlyon1899]

Every time Jay says Gimcrackery, Don smiles.

[@leddygee1896]

I agree with Donald, The 2nd Gen Camaro/Firebird is the most beautiful car GM ever designed... American Ferrari!! I had a '72 Firebird Formula 400, Red with White Interior/Black dash/carpets, That car was very sweet and I truly wish I hadn't sold it all those years ago. I took It to 145 MPH on bias ply Goodyears a few times, It still had pedal left... probably not a good Idea, considering tire technology at the time...

[@gregkistner1955]

Yep the SD 455 was a damn good motor!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

No doubt about it. What a torque monster too

[@dastrayer63]

I still carry a map in my old cars. Sometimes when I stop for coffee, I take the map along and ask for directions. Always an interesting reaction.

[@patmanz28]

My dad had one of these when I was a kid. I loved that car no one ever believes me that he had a super duty. He bought it for a thousand bucks had another kid on the way and couldn't afford to keep gas in it. Sold it in 84 or 85 for 800 bucks.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

The steering in these 70's F-Body cars is my favorite part. My 78 Camaro had a 250 straight 6. And it was the most beat up, rusted car I've ever owned. But it was so much fun to drive

[@michaelhall7546]

The build quality of the 80s American cars are what turned my retired military dad against unions. No joke

[@alphatrion100]

So the fact wages never increased is your dads fault. What a doofus. He helped increasing the gap between rich and poor 😤

[@Houthiandtheblowfish]

free market libertarian would agree

[@martyduncan2636]

It’s interesting how this 455-SD Trans Am grows on Jay and Donald AS THEY DRIVE IT! Imagine that, somewhere an old Pontiac executive is smiling 😊

[@briansd2772]

I give alot of credit to Pontiac Engineering for having the balls to produce this engine and the Sales Department for going out and getting 600 orders to make this car a reality. They gave performance enthusiasts hope and excitement during a dark era.

[@74SD455TA]

You might be right on that initial 600 orders. Think of that today, 600 is like nothing. Those were the days.

[@briansd2772]

@@74SD455TA Indeed. At Herb Adams' final meeting with Pontiac management, he said and I'm paraphrasing....."If I had 600 orders and 600 engines, I'd at least build and sell 600 cars!" Martin Caserio agreed and gave the green light. I spoke with Mr. Caserio on the phone in 2000...years before he passed away and he told me he agreed to build 1000 total SD engines for cars. As we all know, the final figure ended up being 1296 or so for TAs and Formulas.

[@74SD455TA]

@@briansd2772 How cool is that! You gotta love how those boys were able to get the SD's out on the streets given all the forces against them. I have heard that warehousing guys were stockpiling parts "just in case" it was a go. Oddly enough, when these were brought into production, some were ordered with a column shift.....you know, just in case someone felt they needed the extra power in their grocery getter!

[@briansd2772]

@74SD455TA X2 regarding parts, mainly extra connecting rods and service replacement carburetors. Even though some of those rods "grew legs" there was still barely enough available for enthusiasts.

[@74SD455TA]

@@briansd2772 Pontiac had to put out a bulletin that they would not be selling the rods over the counter because they wanted to have enough on hand for actual customers of Super Duty's if they needed them. Think of the Pontiac enthusiasts that stormed the parts counter to get a set of those rods for their hot rods. Also, we can't forget about the service replacement blocks either. Thinking of stockpiling, my 74 SD T/A which was built in February 1974 has original heads on it that were cast back in July 1973. In certain ways, the regulatory delays in producing the SD 45 in 1973 allowed for greater production in 1974. For sure, they were ready for production no doubt.

[@matrox]

Radio tuned suspension was so futuristic then. I like how we used to dial in our suspension settings using our radios.☝😌

[@joksal9108]

Osborne looks like he should be driving his Bentley to the club for his late afternoon cocktail.

[@krazyhorse448]

I had a 72 or 73 Pontiac Lemans that had Radial Tuned suspension badge on the dash and that wide body car could handle turns like few others from the era. With a 350 it was sooooo slow, My 66 Cyclone would blow the doors off it until cornering. Then it would do things my Mercury would be off the road and in a field if I was lucky.

[@krazyhorse448]

Correction it was 1976 Lemans

[@davidtaylor6613]

A double shoutout to Jerry Reed! Love the content,keep up the good work.

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

Was a good ole Georgia boy...RIP Snowman

[@garycogswell5499]

1974, what a year for music.

[@davedovala2700]

Funny! Two automotive icons in the exact spec '74 T/A I got a ride to high school in most days back in the '70's. Then, we wished it had a manual.

[@gnws6]

Jay has unique taste. This isn't the car for him, clearly. Me on the other hand, It's a dream.

[@josephnapolitano277]

Thank you guy's ❤ you two are awesome together

[@ronschwolsky1626]

I’ve always loved this model and I’ve always liked the Firebird designs over the Camaro models. It’s a shame that Jay wouldn’t let Donald finish many of his thoughts/sentences.

[@TS-vr4xq]

Funny , just pretend Jay isn't in the car and not talking at all . You and the rest of the world wouldn't be here watching this video if that happened , would you ! Just enjoy it .

[@andrewhigdon8346]

I agree. He does this with most of his guests on his regular channel too. I don’t think he even realizes it.

[@andrewhigdon8346]

Ford started the shaker hood on Cobra Jet Mach 1s by 1969. Then Chrysler coined the term literally on the side of their version which first appeared in 1970.

[@braddawson4496]

My 75 Stellar Blue 400 speed TA (minus bird, spoiler and sharker graphics only) is still my favorite car to have owned.

[@MartinScreeton]

Love watching Leno and Osborne in their special cars!

[@audieconrad8995]

Pontiac just didn't want to give up.

[@bradleylovej]

One of the reasons I loved them

[@timcobb3225]

I own a 1973 Trans Am that I bought from the original owner back in August of 1984. The original owner was my moms Avon lady. It was sold at Mel Rapton Pontiac on Fulton Ave Sacramento Ca in April 1973. 1974 TA is cool but I like the 70 to 73 body style a little more.

[@davidphillips7255]

The thing is with cars like this, they weren't fast compared to cars a few years before, but 290 HP came at 3800 rpm and it probably had 373 gears to make the most of what was there. At normal speeds a car like that is going to feel alot more impressive than it is, putting out close to maximum power at a quick cruise. It's like a power cruiser motorcycle. It's not about ultimate performance; but about the FEELING of power.

[@mikee2923]

These cars were capable of mid 13 second quarter mile times off the showroom floor. Low 13s if equipped with a 4 speed manual with someone who could drive a stick. High to mid 12s with properly adjusted carburetor and timing. The steepest gears available were 3.42 which this car may have had since it appeared to lack A/C. If equipped with A/C it would have 3.08. Except for the ultimate top of the line muscle cars like Mopar Hemis, big block Boss Mustangs and exotic big block Chevies this car was faster than the majority of the muscle cars prior. Most were lucky to run 14s. You also have to remember that the 290HP rating is SAE net vs gross HP ratings of 71 and prior. It also had a compression ratio of 8.4:1 whereas the majority of muscle cars were at least 10:1. These cars ran similar times to the 98 and up LS equipped F bodies. While it did have a 100CI advantage it also lacked 25 years of technological advancement, weighed about 500lbs more, much skinner tires and 2 less gears in the transmission and was not nearly as aerodynamic. The SD 455 cars are one of the best performance cars built in any era.

[@ccfmfg]

You clearly never Owned Or Drove One. Stock These Trans Ams both SD and HO were the Fastest thing on the Road and with minor mods and a little De-Smogging they would Rip 99% of the Cars on the Roads a New Asshole! Because they had Basically the save Block and Heads as came in the Late 60s Pontiac Muscle Cars, just some Head Porting and or a Cam Change and Headers and They were 11 Second Street Cars and would Rip Your Head Clean Off with still a lot more potential left on the Table.

[@eddiejohnson349]

It was cool of Donald to say he is grateful.

[@Pablo-cp9nc]

I had a 74 TA and always loved the front end, the best year for second gen.

[@planetwisconsin9901]

The seats are missing the seat belt routing, things. Normally the shoulder belt won't decapitate you.

[@3.2Carrera]

Those always will remind me of Burt Reynolds. He was long time resident here in South Florida and my dad worked security for him when he was off duty. Anyway Burt was in a silver Porsche 911 at a stoplight and I was on my motorcycle and he looked over and gave me a big grin and I knew it was on. We raced for several stop lights for miles and were having a blast. Before his house turnoff, there was a long stretch of road on US-1 and he took off like a bat out of hell in a spot where cops regularly run traffic. He could do this because he's Burt freaking Reynolds. At any rate he delayed long enough in the turn lane to give me a nod and wave as I drove by.

[@TheOneAboveAll-001]

I own a 1968 firebird 350 2 barrel dual exhaust it is in very rough shape, it still turns heads and is a blast to drive, car is a star everywhere.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

I drove a '67 like that home for a friend working out of town... was fun but power disappeared above 3500 RPMs with that 2 bbl. carb...

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

The Perfect Pontiac Cruiser..!

[@johnross6314]

I owned SD455 years ago. Special one off, where Norwood Pontiac plant worker ordered it, when his production line built it late summer 73, was 74 model with the 73 SD motor. Power everything, auto, honeycomb wheels. screaming chicken. 146 mph top end (.308). 1/4 12.8@113mph. Handles great and predictable. Bought it from that person. He did not beat on it. The SD block had fittings for dry sump oil system. I found one, put it on. Added at least 40hp due to less parasitic losses. Should never sold it. Although my Model Y P and several past vehicles are much faster and handles better. Still, SD-455 was the fastest stock GM vehicle produced. Herb Adams single handed pulled the SD and unique suspension into production. Miracle of the time.

[@chadhaire1711]

12.8 bullcrap.....310 hp on a 73 engine and 4,000 pound on the car......did I say 12.8 bullcrap? 1970 440-6 MOPAR was 325 net horsepower, and with 3:91 rear could so 13.8 best...did I say 12.8 bullcrap.....????

[@johnross6314]

@@chadhaire1711 you really believe it is 310 hp? Like you believe a ZL1 was 435 gross HP? Go back to your troll forums. Your Chad name should be Karen. It happened. Anytime I wanted. Heck C/D had Firestone 500s on their rally wheel equipped test vehicle. With the hood scoop closed off, the EGR working, the messed up timing, the exhaust air pump running, the 197 thermostat (instead of 180). C/D got low 13s at 103 in their test. Could not get traction. Mine had pollution plumbing off, scoop open. and timing/temp set right. Plus the factory racing dry oil sump uncorked HP. I also used decent tires for the day. Much stickier than the Firestones C/D had to put up with. I still had traction issues which affected how to lean into the factory QuadraJet (progressive barrel opening for street). Point is, bone stock, SD was well into the 400s net HP. I do not expect the ignorant ha8ers who never owned one to believe. I share these facts with those who know how special the SD is. In the end, as I noted, any of my Teslas will mop the floors with all real production vehicles then or now.

[@justme307]

@@chadhaire1711 The 1973 SD motor put out 290 net Goober.

[@chadhaire1711]

@@johnross6314 A. A stock 73 was 310 hp, 74 was 290 hp NET. B. I saw enough of them 14.5 in 1/4 mile was being generous. Even a 440-6 pack with 3:91 gears cant do better than 13.8 c. Car and driver was a shill back then as well as Motor Trend...the cars they got were ringers that had been prepped by the factory, everyone knew their numbers they printed on all muscle cars were BS and the magazine paid off. D, I test cars, been doing it long time--I know what is real and what is not.

[@chadhaire1711]

@@justme307 WRONG.....73 was 310 hp, dropped to 290 in 74.......and no stock SD ever did quicker than 14.5 in the 1/4 mile....................try again Goober

[@artgennis2752]

Had exact same car many years ago. Brutal power. I switched in a bunch of the WS6 suspension package components and Police radials and it handled like it was on radials.

[@martyduncan2636]

“It’s the jumpsuit Elvis and not the Viva Las Vegas Elvis”. That’s a really good and evocative metaphor 😂.

[@dianebinpa6668]

1st and 3rd generations are my favorite.

[@lancerbiker5263]

I was riding around in a white with blue trim 4 sp edition back then. We used to buy winter "retreads" tires as they were cheap and had lots of burn out rubber. 😎

[@bruceallen6016]

Love Trans Ams! Had a few including a 1978 Bandit with a mild street build on a 1973 SD 455. That was a great running car! Thumb up here. ❤

[@joelpierce3940]

I like the dash, with the scalloped aluminum. You men can pretend you are James Rockford! (Jim Garner)😂

[@ExcitedDragon-fp8yp]

The SD 455 engine shared very little parts with the stock pontiac 455 motor. My first car was a 74 firebird, maroon, with a 250 ci inline six. It had a saginaw three speed, 14 in rims. The speedo went to 160, lol, i got it up to about 120 and decided that was fast enough. It was a fun car to drive and looked clean without the flares or spoiler

[@stephenflowers8516]

"Pontiac builds excitement! " Available at your local Pontiac dealership.

[@sblsbl7600]

I like the car even if Jay doesn't. My favoute is the 74 Formula Firebird. Love the Formula hood.

[@leahcimthgirw3163]

I love the white and red combo

[@djsonfire0001]

Really makes me miss my 77 Camaro LT with t-tops! Superb drive & review guys.

[@judgegixxer]

Same here, I had a 76' Type Lt with custom aftermarket T-tops.

[@thomaswoitekaitis8977]

In 1988 my cousins friend Dan bought a purple (that eggplant purple from back in the day) ,firebird, big block, 4 speed car , didn't know it was anything special ,car would spin the tires into third gear with 4 people in it.. Found out years later we were 17 yrs old bearin on a super duty...fun times

[@hotwheel6663]

Yes the first gen '70 -'73 my fave.

[@mikehlavinka2964]

I loved Jay's thoughts on American engineering and how

[@Andy.H.H.]

I loved my 1974 Firebird Formula 400ci.

[@johndavey72]

Just a good old chinwag ! That interior is horrendous ! Who on earth gave the thumbs up !! Thanks gentlemen .

[@DanEBoyd]

Beautiful car!!! My own favorite is the '70.5-to-'73.

[@jonmcclane7433]

My Pop had this exact car but in Admirality Blue. It was a great car and a Torque Monster. I could beat it to 80mph in my 5.0 that had Gears, exhaust, and bolt ons, but after 80 it would gap me. They were very strong running cars, not necessarily Drag Cars but very fast, especially in the Top End.

[@cptdavidwebb]

I absolutely love that car. My dream car has always been A 73 SD455 in Brewster green.

[@scottpsychodub6385]

Love “remember maps” from Donald. 🏆👍

[@1Bandit455]

Cool > Trans Am Best Handling American car of the 70's🏆😎 > HO RACING's 74 SD-455 T/A Set Records with their's in the 70's in NHRA Super Stock Racing 🏁🏆😎

[@colt2206]

Love this car. I had a 79 6.6 one in 1981. It had 7000 miles on it when I got it and I sold it with only 18k miles. Loved that car

[@brracing7861]

The SD455 had 430 Hp in Factory trim Tuned Up And Running Right.

[@troynov1965]

Should do a Rockford in it !

[@motorTranz]

Enjoyable show as always! Thank you gentlemen!

[@johngood1808]

Watching this, brought back some memories of when me & my friends, were growing-up in the Muscle Car Era of the 60's, 70's & even now at 69, I still love cars, speed & "Hot Chicks" (in that order 😃)! My 1st car was a 71' 383 Magnum Cuda w/ a Slapstick Automatic, so I was a MOPAR Fanboy by association. EVERYONE was trying to de-throne the 426 Hemi, that had set the standard at Nascar. I was ALWAYS interested in following what new tech was coming out at the time, to try to better the Hemi. I remember reading an article (circa 1975) in one of the "classier automotive magazines" (not Hot Rod, Super Chevys, Powerful Fords, etc.) about this particular car. The Automotive "Journalist" stated in his article, that the 74' SD 455 Trans Am engine could be "tuned" to way over 500hp, by the simple addition of High Compression Pistons. This was an eye-opener for me at the time & I knew not to mess with any SD 455's. Funny story from back then! A guy who lived across the road from my parent's farm, showed up one day with a 70' Buick GS 455 & I'm pretty sure that he bought it to "beat-me" in a race. I knew that it was basically the same engine, as in the Pontiac Trans Am. We were "drinking" at a local Community Center function, about 5 mi. up the HWY from home. We came outside together & started up our cars. Normally, I would let my Cuda' warm-up, BEFORE I "trashed the sh*t out of it", BUT I just had this feeling that "this was it" & I drove out of the parking lot onto the HWY 1st, with him following close behind. There were 2 tiny towns that we had to go thru on the way home, so this gave me a chance to get more heat into my engine & as soon as I was clear I "just floored-it" & I could see him on my tail in the rear-view mirror! The way my Cuda' was geared, it was not spectacular off the line, BUT top-end had to be about 140 mph. AND he could not pass-me all the home! 🤣 Boy, I sure miss those times!🤠

[@mikee2923]

Back in those days all of the different divisions of GM had their own individual engines. Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac each offered a 455 but they were completely different engines.

[@n.v.1258]

True entertainment and knowledge from two great people.

[@mountainmandale1587]

My dearly departed uncle Wayne let me beat the hell out of his 1976 455 H.O, a I loved every minute of it!

[@shannonshepard5047]

I own a 1975 Pontiac Formula, bought it in 1976 4,500 bucks. Had a 350, 170 HP. what a dog, but it was my first car. I have restored the car with the right stuff, but the car now has a 455. Too much to list what has been done to it, but now it’s a proper muscle car. Long live Pontiac, even though GM killed it.

[@jrkat]

Love to watch them together 😎

[@jeanjacqueskasel2607]

just wonderful, they are so funny in this video, sensational!

[@uncorkedpants3595]

Fun video. Love hearing them laugh about the time it was and shortcomings of that era. Brings me back to a time I wasn’t alive.

[@decencywarrior9598]

Oh yeah I remember piloting one of those -ran on High octane ,had a fierce 455 in it ,with twin 1/2 barrel Webber carbs. Had special high pressure cannabis only oil pump too.

[@derekspace]

Donald, you never cease to amaze me. Sir, you get it. Been watching your videos and learning a lot. Thanks. Really funny how a car you don't think much of gets so much better after you drive it.The VW Beetle (old school) taught me that. A certain BMW 1600 and several other cars did too. Keep doing what ya doing.

[@3ducs]

At 0:36 a classic Jay Leno scene, driving down the road with a turn signal flashing. "I still drive ya know!".

[@justme307]

He always says it to let the camera car know he's going to turn. Good excuse!

[@alexcallas8222]

@ 2:00 he also didn't close his door all the way- you can hear it banging on bumps and see the gap by the lock button. Oops!

[@3ducs]

@@alexcallas8222 I thought that was just proof of mid-70s build quality. But who wouldn't want to be Jay?

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@@3ducs if you would have give it a good pull shut you get that classic Fisher body clunk

[@rayborg7378]

What a lovely looking car.Good performance too could I ask for more.

[@CentralTexasRailJetProductions]

You two make a great duo! Class acts. 👏🏻 Thank you for sharing such an unusual piece of GM F Body history with us.

[@P51]

a 4-speed would make all the difference

[@gmain1977]

As a brit , I love Muscle cars, they are my fav type of cars. As kid in 80s , first real muscle car I seen was a red 70s Trans Am. American cars are much more intersting than Euro cars. I mean Euro cars get intersting when expensive. 18 year olds in US drove muscle cars and 18 year olds in UK drove 1.6 cars with 80hp

[@KyleEisenhart]

Such an interesting video, thank you! :-)

[@marcoluoma3770]

Thanks for the memories. This was the ultimate high school parking lot car when I was there. You’re also right about quality; I had a 1970's GM car that was junk when it rolled off the line.

[@kfiscal01]

I had 2 birds in my youth. First was a 74 Esprit, 350 and put in a 400 trans. That was high school and it was a fabulous car. Not quick, but very fast and the chicks certainly digged it. 2cd was a 75 T/A 400 4spd which i built the top end. Both cars gave me joy and head turners. I swear the Esprit was faster and a better car.

[@philr9407]

I have a poverty version of this car with the inline 6. I imagine it's nearly as much fun,built during the Watergate gas crisis reccesion 70s it was my 80s cruiser! Yup had some quirky fails , but the metal is strong compared to my 78 Espirit. To see Jay & Don cruising around in essentially a beefed up version of my standard equipment model gives me a kick. Just need a Sparkomatic stereo & 7band eq driving those 6x9s in the back and you have a rolling listening booth ! Next Jay ...You &Don hit the local Burger King in that puppy!

[@davidgarris2513]

Kraco 😂

[@matrox]

Pretty sure Ford started the shaker hood.

[@joequillun7790]

Was it the 69 Mach 1?

[@matrox]

@@joequillun7790 yep

[@tvdinner325]

We need more content, like this. Thank you.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Was surprised it was all driving... no in garage discussion... no masks... no distancing...

[@Boomkin316]

Jay returns!

[@57Banjoman]

I owned a '75 Formula 350-only 190 hp, but it was really fun to drive- thanks, guys!

[@rubbersoul3723]

The most valuable part of that car was the Screaming Chicken decal on the hood-& when it faded from the sun-the value of the car plummeted by 90% 😢.

[@JordanJokerSmith]

Did Donald just add Pontiac to his car bucket list? 🤔

[@DustyBalz]

Donald and Jay, love the videos and glad you like the Trans Am, these cars are special as Pontiac did the best they could to keep a muscle car persona going through the 70s when Ford and dodge folded in the mid 70s . I have a numbers matching , PHS certified 1978 Trans Am with the W72 6.6 , it’s so much fun. The aerodynamics work, the deck spoiler adds 55lbs of downward force at 70mph , as Donald mentioned the Gen two Firebirds are beautiful.

[@montestu5502]

One of my favorite cars. If it would have been a 4-speed, it would be perfect.

[@jbs256]

Nostalgia for me, too. My first car was a 1974 Formula 400. It was LimeFire green but had the same white Esprit interior. What’s driving me nuts in this video is the seatbelt guides are missing so the belt is in perfect position to do your neck real good in an accident. I do love how white the interior remained. I kept mine clean but I only had it for 7 years. Mine had the RTS also and Positraction (LSD). I miss it.

[@bradc32]

i chuckled at that belt riding up their neck..easy fix but they were one of the first things to fall off into the backseat floor

[@jbs256]

@@bradc32 mine survived all 7 years I had it. I even had to remove them to slide on a vinyl seat cover. Those weren’t comfortable but kept the seats white.

[@74SD455TA]

The Super Duty 455, there is no substitute! If you're ever so lucky enough to ever see one let alone drive one! Since I own one, whenever I let anyone drive it (which is about never) I would say, if you're going to get on it...stay in the throttle a full quarter mile.....very few ever have!!.....I admit mine does run low 12's. Stock best, on good track...mid 13's.

[@paulrogers6037]

It's funny that the SD-455 option was $500 and the air conditioning was a $450 option.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Both improved the 'breathing'...

[@mikehlavinka2964]

I loved J's thoughts on American engineering and how he is amazed that a Corvette can be built by union workers for under 70 grand and how competitive it is against cars like Ferrari.

[@loualiberti4781]

Dynamite - this made my Day !!! 😊

[@chrisholcombe137]

The 1970 LS5 455 Firebird #1 for the second generation . The 74 Super Duty complete the HEI ignition distributor. Nice car 👍👍👍 I like the early bow style headliner .

[@mikee2923]

The 455 wasn’t an option in the F body line until 1971.

[@mikee2923]

@@chrisholcombe137 I won’t doubt what you’re saying. Don’t have a 1970 wiring diagram. I do have a 1975 Pontiac service manual printed by GM that talks about the Super Duty 455 which wasn’t available in 1975. In fact there is no VIN breakdown for a 75 F body with a 455 of any kind mentioned. Yes I know that the 455 initially was not offered in the F body until mid year. But it just goes to show that even GM’s own literature contains false information because what they tell you and reality are sometimes two different things. There is GM literature that shows availability of the SD455 in the 73 GTO, Grand Am and Grand Prix. And we all know that never happened outside the developmental stages.

[@chrisholcombe137]

@@mikee2923 Want to get more GM brain freeze . this F body car can also be Googled as 1970 455 Trans Am WT5 Or 1970 GTO 382 Judge WT5 Or just Pontiac WT5 PHS Documented . Production Firebird 455 Super Duty HEI ignition ZU code 74/75

[@melvinburwell8202]

Nice car. 76 was the last year of the single headlights like this one. More of a cleaner look. Cruiser at best. Really heavy. But beautiful. Jay cracks me up with the screamin chicken jokes. 😂❤❤👍😎😛

[@rayRay-pw6gz]

Jay does not mention the phony pony on the Ferraris . And by the way , the radial tuned suspension matched the new radial tires they had . The FIREBIRD symbol equals power, protection & strength . It is not a phoenix or SCREAMING CHICKEN ! 🤯🤬 👅

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

My buddies used to rag on my screamin chickens all the time but it never bothered me as I loved the Rising Phoenix